Filaria Antibodies

Filaria is a long, thread-like roundworm called Wuchereria Bancrofti that lives as a parasite in the bodies of human beings and animals.

Filariasis is the name for an infection with this parasite and is an infectious tropical disease.

Filaria is mainly found in Central Africa, Asia and the Southwest Pacific.

At first, most people don't experience any symptoms until after the adult worms die. The disease usually is not life threatening, but it can permanently damage your lymph system and kidneys.

In cases of lymphatic filariasis, the most common form of the disease, the disease is caused by the adult worms actually living in the lymphatic vessels near the lymph nodes where they distort the vessels and cause local inflammation. In advanced stages, the worms can actually obstruct the vessels, causing the surrounding tissue to become enlarged.

In Bancroftian filariasis, the legs and genitals are most often involved, while the Malayan variety affects the legs below the knees. Repeated episodes of inflammation lead to blockages of the lymphatic system, especially in the genitals and legs. This causes the affected area to become grossly enlarged, with thickened, coarse skin, leading to a condition called elephantiasis.

Symptoms vary, depending on what type of parasitic worm has caused the infection, but all infections usually begin with chills, headache, and fever between three months and one year after the insect bite. There may also be swelling, redness, and pain in the arms, legs, or scrotum. Areas of pus (abscesses) may appear as a result of dying worms or a secondary bacterial infection.

Results for this blood test are available within approximatley 14 working days after the blood sample arrives at the private laboratory.

What's included in this private blood test

A specially labelled blood sample collection kit with details of a clinic locally to where you live or work where you can go to have the blood sample taken. The blood sample collection kit will be unique and coded specifically to you.